October 1, 2023 – Liberia Wire

Liberia: Three killed in election campaign clashes

Three people have been killed in clashes in Liberia between supporters of the country’s two main political parties ahead of next week’s elections, according to the UN and a West African regional bloc.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the UN said on Saturday that the violence broke out in the northwestern Lofa county leading to the “loss of three lives”.

The clashes on Friday were between the Unity Party of former vice president Joseph Boakai and the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) of George Weah, the ex-international football star turned politician and president since 2018.

In a statement, the UN and ECOWAS called on the leaders of the two parties “to strongly” urge their supporters to “refrain from provocation and any other acts of violence”.

Guaranteeing fair and peaceful elections is key in the the vote in a country ravaged by back-to-back civil wars between 1989 and 2003 that left more than 250,000 people dead.

Liberia’s main political parties pledged in April 2023 to avoid violence and turn to the courts to resolve electoral conflicts that may arise before and after the polls.

ECOWAS and the UN called on the country’s police to “promptly restore calm” and to “conduct speedy and impartial investigations, make public their findings, and ensure that the perpetrators are prosecuted.”

The US embassy also condemned the violence. Both political parties blamed each other for the clashes.

More than 2.4 million voters are registered for the October 10 presidential and parliamentary elections

Source: Nam News Network

SMSE as bailout to Nigeria’s economic woes

Since the attainment of independence 63 years ago, Nigeria has been battling with development issues, despite its natural endowment in human and material resources.

Several strategies by successive civilian and military administrations have met with limited successes.

Apparently, this position explains the recent gathering of stakeholders in Ilorin to brainstorm on the way forward to local production of the nation’s needs as against what some have described as present waste of foreign exchange on importation.

The forum was organised by one of the major stake-holding organisations in Nigeria’s business platforms – the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).

A former Director-General, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Amb. Ayoola Olukanni, was the guest lecturer at the SMEDAN retreat.

The retreat was organised for a stratum of the agency to diagnose the theme: ‘Enhancing the Institutional Capacity for Greater Impact on the Nigerian MSME Ecosystem’.

Olukanni, a diplomat with practical experiences around the world, did not mince word as he highlighted the reasons for Nigeria’s stunted growth since independence.

He noted that the topic for the discourse could not have been more relevant in the current economic landscape.

Before the discovery of crude oil in Oloibiri in the Niger Delta in the 1950s by Shell D’Arcy, after 50 years of unsuccessful exploration, the mainstay of the country’s economy was majorly agriculture showered with a few other natural resources that dotted various regions.

Apparently, due to the discovery of oil wells in the Delta area, the groundnut pyramid in Kano, coal deposit in Enugu and the natural endowments in Jos like columbite which dates back to the 1940s were sideline for the black gold.

The country has, however, continued to wallow in abject poverty despite development policy reforms in all sectors of human endeavour but which implementation have continued to draw down.

Experts recalled the woeful implementation of the Operation Feed the Nation, a strategy deployed by the Olusegun Obasanjo military regime in the 1970s to boost agriculture, while the situation was same for the Shehu Shagari administration’s Green Revolution that gulped several millions of the nation’s hard- earned revenue in the Second Republic.

However, few significant record of the Buhari-Idiagbon era can be remembered in terms of that regime’s economic policy and war against corruption and sharp practices, both in public and private lives of the Nigerian citizen.

The Ibrahim Babangida leadership flattened the economy with the embrace of the International Monetary Fund’s bait.

This finally brought the economy to comatose despite the oil windfall recorded during the eight-year rule, achieving very little results as a result of the high-grade corruption that characterised that regime.

However, a cursory look at the post-Babangida regime has shown a bit of seriousness as though, the Sanni Abacha government attempted to fight corruption with the establishment of the ‘Failed Bank Tribunal’ , his economic policy was not significantly different from those of his predecessors.

Abacha had been accused of using the machinery and instrument of the State to fight his perceived enemies by hauling them into Kirikiri Prisons and other detention camps across the country, all in the name of clearing the ‘haven of corruption’.

Despite the opportunities, the Obasanjo civilian administration initially showed a green light of seriousness on the part of a regime ready to re-jig the economy for posterity following the reliefs sought and granted by international monetary agencies, on debt forgiveness.

Again, corruption and financial indiscipline eventually eroded the debt pardon.

The Buhari civilian administration did not fare better than the Umaru Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan’s, apparently due to lack of economic sense, though there is similarity to the running of public office in other African nations where the economy have been run aground like Nigeria’s.

Nigeria, like other developing nations have been faced with stunted growth and rising debt levels.

The World Bank has also counselled African governments to, without delay, focus on macro-economic stability, domestic revenue mobilisation, debt reduction, and productive investments to reduce poverty and boost shared prosperity from medium-to-long term rescue policies.

Giving credence to the position of the global bank, the African Development Bank (AfDB) headed by a Nigerian, Akinwumi Adesina, notes that Africa presently faces an annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) shortfall that can exceed 127.2 billion dollars by 2030.

According to AfDB, this is if current trends in climate finance flow into Africa continues, noting that the continent may lose as much as 12 per cent of GDP.

While statistics by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) shows the importation of, at least, 10 items, including crude palm oil, vegetable products, animal products, meat, vegetable fats and oil, steel products, plastics, clothes and textiles from various countries worth N18.12 trillion between 2016 and 2022 that drains the country’s foreign reserves.

Experts, including Olukanni, were quick to advise the Bola Tinubu led-administration to evolve what they termed systemic economic recovery agenda, to bail the country out of the doldrums.

To Nigerians, it is now more than ever before that the government should evolve strategies for economic growth and development to eradicate poverty through wealth creation for increased fiscal stability.

Olukanni noted that the issue under focus ‘’underscores the pivotal role that Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) play in fostering economic growth, creating employment opportunities, and driving innovation.

Noting that the ‘’theme also acknowledges the essential role that SMEDAN, as a leading agency, plays in promoting and supporting the growth of these enterprises’’.

Olukanni asked the participants to embrace the retreat as a catalyst for transformation agenda driven by a shared commitment to elevating the Nigerian MSME ecosystem.

‘’Let us harness the power of collaboration, innovation, and inclusive growth to shape a future where Nigerian entrepreneurs thrive, jobs are created, and economic prosperity is shared by all.

‘’As we explore pathways to enhance institutional capacity, may we remember that our efforts ripple beyond these walls, influencing the lives of countless entrepreneurs, families, and communities’’, he further charged.

While acknowledging the prime position of the sub-sector, the guest lecturer noted that with over 40 million MSMEs contribution to employment and which account for about 50 per cent of the country’s GDP, the platform equally served as the backbone of the country’s economic configuration.

He said: ‘’Their ability to adapt quickly to market changes, drive local innovation, and foster entrepreneurship makes them a critical force in shaping our nation’s economic future’’.

As direct pathways to enhanced capacity, Olukanni said it was essential to consider actionable corridors that can amplify SMEDAN’s institutional capacity for a greater impact on the Nigerian MSME ecosystem that can serve as guiding principles as the country navigate the complexities of the evolving economic landscape.

They include “Holistic Capacity Building” that will incorporate technical skills that fosters a culture of continuous learning, adaptability, and innovation.

Collaborative partnerships with government agencies, private sector players, academia, and international agencies to leverage expertise, resources and networking for knowledge exchange and cross-sectorial initiatives.

Other areas are partnerships with government agencies, the private sector and the academia while international organisations can leverage expertise, resources, and networks to create a multiplier effect to strengthen SMEDAN’s impact.

Equally, SMEDAN can explore innovative financing models, including venture capital, impact investment, and crowd-funding platforms by connecting MSMEs with funding sources tailored to their needs, the agency can address the financing gap and drive sustainable growth while women and youth empowerment should be embraced for national growth and development.

According to Olukanni, the potential of MSMEs should extend beyond national boundaries by fostering the growth of MSMEs across states and local governments, establishing MSME councils, facilitating ease of doing business, and promoting regional hubs of entrepreneurship for economic growth.

He further explained that interaction with international organisations, tapping into global best practices, and participating in cross-border initiatives could expose SMEDAN to new ideas, technologies, and opportunities that can be translated into local impact.

Asking SMEDAN to adopt robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to assess the outcomes of its initiatives.

According to him, by measuring progress, identifying success stories, and learning from challenges, SMEDAN can refine its strategies and optimise its interventions for the growth and development of national economy.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Human trafficking: Africa must shift attention to male child – Author

A Nigerian author and novelist, Gbenga Sokefun, has called on African leaders to beam searchlight on human trafficking of the male child.

Sokefun, the author of a fiction, “Adigun”, in a release made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos said that trafficking of the African male child had received far less attention, despite the simple fact that it existed.

According to him, the phenomenon of human trafficking, though as old as human society, is receiving global attention and considerable political effort is being applied to the fight against it.

He said that the focus of these efforts had been primarily on female children in general, including African female children trafficked for purposes of prostitution and other forms of indentured servitude.

He said: “The pressures of poverty and the inherent psychological damage of colonialism have resulted in a brisk trade of young African boys and men under the auspices of narcotics smuggling.

“The perpetrators have created a pathway for the African male child, whose solution to the inadequacies of the continent is escape to the ‘greener’ pastures of the Americas, Europe or anywhere away from the continent of Africa.

“They prey on the dreams and desires of these gullible children who seek a better life on other continents.

“They offer alternatives to the common avenues for illegal migration – stowing away on merchant vessels, walking miles into the Sahara, or visa violations – exploiting the reality that the coming of age of the African child has become indistinguishable from the desire to reach western world.”

Expounding the menace in his book, “Adigun”, published by Europe Books, Sokefun said that human trafficking of African male child has come of age.

According to him, the book, “Adigun”, is his rendition of this reality, while conveying the beauty of the African tradition and picturesque natural environment; showing the world the disparate elements of the coming of age of the African male child.

He explained that the title character, in his mid-teens, felt constrained to head out to the foreign land and was lured into a trap by evil adults.

Sokefun said that he clearly highlighted the harsh reality of the journey and the truth that awaits the trafficked.

He added: “Adigun, is an intriguing novel, playing across three continents, that illustrates the delicate inter-play of diverse cultural influences in a sprawling narrative that spans several decades.

“This story captures the enduring power of friendship, family and human bonding that survives (and often conquers) cultural dislocation.

“Adigun describes the experiences of two West African boys, forced by different (though related) circumstances to spend their late teens and early adulthood in separate Western countries.

“One in the UK and the other in the U.S., they both struggle to discover themselves under the dual burdens of survival in foreign lands, while still contending with the pressures of their native cultures.

“Both stray to the edges of criminality. Both cross the line, each dealing with blurred moral lines in their distinct ways, and end up reuniting with surprising answers to their questions about what is really important in life.”

He said that the the story shifted between the sun-drenched, tropical paradise of the West African town of Jobore and its environs, foggy London, Chicago, Washington, and Maryland, while featuring a suspenseful (and often amusing) adventure in Amsterdam.

According to him, the earlier years are mainly seen through the eyes of the main character, as he grows up in the Nigerian town of Jobore, before going on to secondary school in Tuke.

Sokefun said that series of mishaps led the main character to fall into the hands of hard men who roped him into a murder plot that ended with him also trafficking narcotics to New York.

Explaining the book further, he said that the main character narrowly escaped from the authorities in New York which eventually led him to Washington, where a cartel boss saved his life and takes him in.

Analysing the main character, the writer said, “Adigun is a precocious, energetic child, with an oblivious attraction to adventure and a propensity for getting in trouble.

“He is smart in a distracted way and his energies are untethered by any particular longterm ambitions.

“In sharp contrast is Chike, Adigun’s neighbour in Jobore. Crisp, disciplined, and studious, Chike arouses Adigun’s suspicion and admiration in equal measure, making for a tumultuous, on-and-off friendship that ends when Chike’s family moves away in pursuit of his father’s fortune.

“This is where their paths diverge until their mid-teens, when they meet again under dangerous circumstances, conspiring to execute a deception that will affect their lives for decades to come.

“They part ways once more until fate, or a series of uncanny coincidences throws them violently together again after almost twenty years.”

He explained that both of the main characters faced the fundamental challenges of becoming men under the extended shadows of their fathers.

He said that for Adigun, the challenge included the psychological schism caused by trying to reconcile his loyalties to his biological father and his adoptive father.

Sokefun said that Adigun’s moral compass was formed by his biological father, who fell short of his own standards, betrayed his family and sold out his son.

According to him, on the other hand, his adoptive father, a criminal, has provided Adigun with a safe haven, material security, and a sense of family.

“Even if it is a family of drug peddlers and murderers. Adigun must find his own path to maturity.”

Speaking further, the author said that Chike, the second character, was determined to break free of his billionaire father’s control and build his legacy, reputation, and fortune.

Sokefun said that Chike broke several rules to achieve his success until he discovered secrets about his father that brought him closer to the man, and ultimately back into his inheritance- a multi-billion-Dollar pharmaceutical empire that is riddled with intrigue, betrayal and violence.

“Both of the main characters are forced to confront the consequences of their actions in business and relationships and, in their disparate bids to correct their errors, they are once more reunited in a violent climax that highlights the importance of brotherhood and trust, as well as the dual nature of man.

“This sets the stage for a reset in the main character’s life, the story ending with him facing another moral choice,” the author said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Hospital Negligence and quest for patients’ safety

In every profession the practitioners are bound to make mistakes. A tailor, out of negligence, may make a mistake while cutting materials same as a plumber while fixing the pipes.

However, while some mistakes and negligence in some professions can be tolerated, in other professions, it could be fatal and irredeemable.

In this category are medical and health workers. Negligence on their part can lead to devastating consequences for patients and their loved ones.

Medical negligence, according to the Free Dictionary, is the improper, unskilled, or negligent treatment of a patient by a physician, dentist, nurse, pharmacist or other health care professional.

It underscores the critical need for healthcare providers to prioritise patient safety, maintain stringent standards of care, and foster a culture of accountability.

Patient safety refers to efforts and measures taken to ensure the safety, well-being, and quality of healthcare services provided to patients.

It encompasses various aspects such as preventing medical errors, reducing harm, improving communication, promoting patient empowerment, and establishing a culture of patient safety within healthcare facilities.

On the occasion of World Patient Safety Day, with the theme: “Engaging patients for patient safety”. The theme was selected in recognition of the crucial role patients, families and caregivers play in the safety of health care.

Ms Nkechi Akande, 39, a school teacher went to hospital for a surgical procedure, unaware of the challenges that awaited her.

Akande alleged that due to negligence, her condition took a turn for the worse, plunging her into a nightmare she never anticipated.

“During my hospital stay, my vital signs were not adequately monitored, medications were administered incorrectly, and post-operation care was inadequate.

“As a result, my health rapidly deteriorated, and I experienced severe complications. What should have been a straightforward procedure turned into a journey of pain, multiple corrective surgeries, and an arduous recovery process,” she narrated.

She said that the impact of this went beyond the physical realm, affecting her mental and emotional well-being.

“Anxiety, depression, and a loss of trust in the healthcare system became her constant companions. However, I decided to transform my harrowing experience into a catalyst for change.

“Driven by a desire to prevent others from enduring a similar ordeal, I became an advocate for patient safety,” said Akande who is now a health care safety advocate.

She has been sharing her story, raising awareness about the importance of proper hospital protocols, staff training, and patient empowerment.

“Collaborating with patient safety organisations, I have dedicated myself to ensuring that hospitals prioritize patient well-being and implement robust measures to prevent future incidents,” she said.

Akande’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the devastating impact hospital negligence can have on Nigerians and their families.

Although she has been vocal about her experience, hers is almost a common development in many hospitals nationwide most of which have gone unnoticed.

According to experts, the emerging concern of patient safety in the country has been described due to its large population.

This calls for effective patient safety policies and infrastructure to address quality issues in healthcare.

While patient safety received attention during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in areas such as sanitation and infection control this focus has declined and COVID-19 threat diminishes.

Although some patients or their loved ones have gone to the court to seek redress when they think their safety has been compromised, most others just move on with their lives.

However, legal experts say the Nigeria’s laws also protect the rights of patients to safety.

Dr Henry Okeke, Lecturer, International Law andJurisprudence Department, Faculty of Law, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, said Nigeria is a common law country which has adopted common law principles in its medico-legal considerations.

“It is true that there exist health regulatory framework and that such regulatory services can be extended to the administration of Patient safety related matters?

“Of course, any health law that promotes the wellbeing of the patient is considered as promoting patient safety, except that it may not optimally regulate liabilities arising out of patient safety-related offences and matters,” he explained.

Okeke, therefore, urged Nigerian legislators to pass more laws that would strengthen the safety of patients and overall quality of health care delivery in the country.

Ducit Blue Solutions, an organisation which seeks to enhance quality service delivery and patient safety in Nigeria, said that patient safety was essential for the quality and effectiveness of healthcare services.

It said that to ensure safe healthcare practices in the country, the government and other key health players should establish a Patient Safety Programme Board that oversees the strategic delivery of education.

“They should also provide adequate and high-quality educational resources and train staff to practise safely,” it said in a report.

But government says it is taking steps to address the challenges.

Dr Shetak Gilbert, Head of Patient Safety/Oxygen, Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), said that Nigeria has developed the first ever National Policy and Implementation Strategy on Patient Safety and care quality.

Gilbert said the policy is in line with the Resolution 18 of the 55th World Health Assembly (WHA 55.18) which called for member states to recognise the burden of patient safety and to set up policies to manage them.

“The National Patient Safety and Care Quality policy focuses on improving different aspects of patient safety including family engagement in health care, medication safety, surgical safety, infection prevention and control (IPC) etc. etc.

“The document aligned with the FMOH four-point agenda: improving quality of health governance in Nigeria and improving population health outcomes.

It is also in line with medical industrialisation-the value chain of the health sector; and improving health security- preparatory response to public health threats,” he explained.

According to the Chairman National Advocates for Health (NA4H), Mohammed Usman, the Nigerian healthcare system recognise the importance of patient safety and has made efforts to address this issue.

“The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, in collaboration with other stakeholders, has developed policies and guidelines to improve patient safety standards and practices in the country,” he said.

Usman said it was important to note that while efforts were being made to improve patient safety in the country there was still plenty of work to be done.

“Challenges such as limited resources, inadequate infrastructure, and systemic issues can hinder progress.

“However, with ongoing commitment, collaboration, and implementation of evidence-based practices, Nigerian patient safety can continue to improve, ensuring better healthcare outcomes for all patients,” he explained.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

NITDA donates N30M ICT centre to Foundation

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), on Saturday donated a N30 million ICT centre to the Richard George Foundation (RGF).

The Director- General, NITDA, Mr Kashifu Abdullahi made the donation at the formal inauguration of Gala/ Fund raising of RGF in Abuja.

Abdullahi explained that part of the agency intervention programme, which was also part of President Bola Tinubu ‘s “Renewed Hope” agenda was to provide infrastructure that could be used to promote innovation and entrepreneurship for people.

“We call it digital economy centre. We provide such centres to schools and communities.

“The centre comes with computers, furnitures, internet connectivity, printers, photo copiers, air conditioners, solar power, generators, and all necessary equipment needed for a centre to function,” he said.

The NITDA boss also said that the three strategic pillars of the foundation, which included education, skills and entrepreneurship,connected with his life story.

”I was born and raised in Jigawa, in a community full of artisans. But most of the people don’t go to school.

”But I was opportuned to go to school because my parents, especially my father insisted that we must finish university before we start anything.

”So I was brought up with two core values, which were my home core values, and my community ‘s core values, ” he said.

Abdullahi said that his father instilled that in him the core values, and that in all sincerity, the RGF strategic pillars connected and aligned with that value.

He narrated how he was inspired to become a computer scientist.

“The education I got in school is what gave me the knowledge, and I turned that knowledge into skill.

“But on that skill I needed to stand out and get noticed to become an entrepreneur, and so I did my first job, which was to design a web.

“I gave out the web for free, which eventually led to the people inviting me to design a similar web for them, and I was paid N1.5 million,” he said.

The NITDA boss said that money should not always be the main focus but skills acquisition.

”Try and develop skills, and with skills, money will come naturally.

“My story is to inspire the young people, that its not about the morning all the time, but about the skills, and its not about just education, but also the skill.

“When you have education, you need to have the skills to validate the education, without the skill, you cannot validate.

“And also to be an entrepreneur, you need to have that spirit to start and do something,” the NITDA boss said.

Earlier, Mr Richard George, Founder, RGF, said that the event of the day marked a milestone in his life because it birthed a dream.

According to him, the dream is to give back to his community through mentoring young and talented African graduates with a vision “To Raise Africa’s Change Makers”.

He said that the RGF summarised his humble beginnings.

Meanwhile one of the mentee, Mrs Ibigotemieari Adebiyi, described her journey with RGF as one of self-discovery and transformation.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

UNIBEN arrests admission racketeers

The University of Benin says some fraud syndicates have been arrested over admission racketeering.

The university announced this in a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Dr Benedicta Ehanire, on Sunday in Benin.

According to her, members of the syndicates go as far as collecting school fees from their victims under the pretence of helping them to pay.

“Some admission fraud syndicates at the University of Benin have been uncovered.

“Members of the syndicates parade themselves as admission officers of the university and engage in admission racketeering and falsification of admission documents.

“Some even go as far as collecting school fees from their victims under the pretence of assisting them to pay to the university. Already, some arrests have been made.

“The university management reiterates that the admission process at the University of Benin is free of charge and advises members of the public to be wary of fraudsters,” the spokesperson said in the statement.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

NLC, TUC urge Zamfara workers to join indefinite strike

The Zamfara Chapters of the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have called on the workers in the state to unanimously join the planned nationwide industrial action as directed by the national headquarters of the two bodies.

The State NLC Chairman, Mr Sani Halliru, made the call in Gusau on Sunday while speaking with newsmen shortly after a joint state executive council meeting of the two unions.

“From Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023 all the private and public schools will not operate in state.

“Working places including hospitals, markets, filling stations, courts, motorparks, among others will be shutdown indefinitely in the state.

“We therefore urged members of the affiliate unions and the general public to support us as we move to salvage the country,” Halliru added.

He added that pupils and students should remain at home because their security in schools will not be guaranteed during the strike period.

On his part, the State Chairman, TUC, Mr Saidu Mudi, emphasised on the unity of the two unions in the state to succeed in the strike action.

“In Zamfara, we are strongly united in the fight for workers’ rights aimed at ensure reducing the hardships disturbing livelihood of Nigerians.

“I am optimistic that all over the country there would be a total compliance as we have mobilised workers at the grassroots level and they all agreed to join the strike.” Mudi explained.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Women group backs AGF’s reform agenda

A civil society organisation, Women Professional Alliances (NWPA), has thrown its weight behind the reform agenda of the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Mrs Oluwatoyin Madein.

The Spokesperson for the group, Mrs Christine Ezekwe, stated this at a news conference on Sunday in Abuja.

She advised the AGF to remain committed to discharging her duties and making efforts toward sanitising the system.

Ezekwe said that all alleged malicious gang up against the AGF by some elements within would fail.

She enjoined Madein not to be distracted in the discharge of her duty but remain resolute in the face of challenges.

The spokesman said the group decided to speak out , following what they termed alleged “unprovoked attacks against a woman who is just doing her professional noble job.

” We read in some sections of the media that some personnel wrote petition against the Accountant-General of the Federation claiming she was not qualify to be on the seat.

” How on earth will people who see her progress in her carrier as a well-bred professional wake up one day to fabricate such gruesome lie.

” When Madein was appointed the AGF, there was joy and high expectations across all facets of Nigeria regardless of gender, religious or ethnic affiliation,”

She said that the emergence of Madein raised hope for millions of young girls across the 36 states of the federation and the FCT.

” Today, few men woke up, wrote petition and wanted to paint her black for not dancing to their tunes,” she alleged.

Ezekwe urged the AGF to go about her duty passionately.

According to her, it will enable the AGF to actualise the dreams of President Bola Tinubu’s administration who promised to give renewed hope to Nigerians.

” One thing we find real disturbing is the fact that women in positions of authority go through a lot.

” Many just believe that because they are women, they cannot take certain tough decisions or be their boss.

” Some can endure incompetence and non-performance from anyone, but when it comes to women working upright in the discharge of their duties, they get very offended.”

The Coordinator of Pro-Impact Initiative, Dr Osamudiamen Isokpehi, said no amount of gang up against the AGF would stop routine posting of personnel in the Treasury House.

Isokpehi cautioned against blackmailing and derailing her from carrying out much needed reforms and cleansing in the system.

” Those behind these acts appear not to understand the extent to which they have exposed their self-centeredness and shallow mindedness in the said petition.”

He highlighted some of the reforms currently being pursued by the AGF to include; bottom-up cash plan which ensures improvement to capital budget execution.

This, according to him, will ensure that respective agencies draw up their own cash requirements monthly as against the practice of just allocating funds to MDAs irrespective of their needs.

He said another reform being championed by the AGF was blocking revenue leakages by setting up of strategic revenue management team to improve internally generated revenues (IGR).

He said the team in turn set up technical sub-committee who would be trained in data analytics, and who can man data of agencies not currently on GIFMIS directly from the AGF’s office.”

He warned that “a system in which people, particularly those at the top are unwilling to accept reforms or changes cannot work.”

Isokpehi called on the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Wale Edun, to disregard the petition against the AGF.

He urged him to focus his strength on the actualisation of a vibrant economy under President Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.

He also called on the petitioners to immediately withdraw it and tender an apology to the AGF for the overall good of country.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria